Compiled by
Angela Arrington
John J. Curtin Sr.
John J. Curtin Sr. of Lady Lake, Fla., died June 11, 2008. He was born in Philadelphia on Aug. 17, 1936 to the late James A. Curtin and Mary E. Curtin. He graduated from Transfiguration Parish School in 1950 and West Catholic High School in 1954. He was an independent insurance agent for more than 40 years and an avid Mummers and Eagles fan. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kay, his daughters, Cathy and Cindy; his sons, John Jr. and Peter; grandchildren, Megan, John III, Elizabeth, Barbara, Emily and Elayna. He was a loving brother and uncle to the Curtin, Trimber, Mower, Headlee and Chadwick families. A funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, July 16 at St. Timothy Church in Lady Lake, Fla.
Father John Kenneth Halbert, M.M.
Father John Kenneth Halbert, M.M., died on June 6, 2008 at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. He was 76. He was born Feb. 29, 1932 in Drexel Hill, where he attended St. Andrew Parochial School. He also attended West Catholic High School in Philadelphia. After studying engineering at Villanova University for one year, he entered the Maryknoll Missionaries in 1951. He was ordained into the priesthood on June 13, 1959. He earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Maryknoll College, Glen Ellyn, Ill., a master’s degree in religious education from Maryknoll Seminary, Ossining, N.Y., and another master’s degree in English from the Catholic University, Washington, D.C. He was later appointed dean of students and associate professor of English literature at Maryknoll College in Glen Ellyn. He was assigned to El Salvador, serving as pastor at Madre del Salvador parish in 1972. In 1978, he became assistant to the superior of Maryknoll’s Central America region, where he said one of the most important things he learned during his missionary career was, “how much fun mission life can be.” He was also elected member of the general council, as vicar general and later appointed president of Maryknoll School of Theology in Ossining, N.Y. Shortly thereafter, he was reassigned to El Salvador as pastor of an urban parish. He returned to the United States in 1989 to resume presidency of Maryknoll School and later served as superior of the newly created retirement community. A funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, June 11 at Queen of Apostles Chapel. Burial followed at the Maryknoll cemetery. He is survived by several nieces and nephews.